Agility is the negotiation of a course of obstacles in as fast a time as possible, without being eliminated or picking up faults. Courses consist of jumps, long jumps, tyres and tunnels and weave poles if it is a jumping course, or if an agility course it will also include some contact equipment (the A frame, Seesaw and Dogwalk).

It is a hugely popular sport and although dominated by Collies, there are also ABC (anything but a Collie) classes to give other breeds a sporting chance! Dogs must be 18 months to compete and serious training shouldn’t start until the dog is at least 12 months so as not to damage growing joints. Although a lot of the ‘control’ training can be done before then: teaching your dog to wait, to go left or right on command stop exercises.